Here you will find the latest thoughts and insights regarding search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising from Kevin Gamache.

Kevin Gamache on Google +1

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

It has been way too long I've missed you oh so much!

Sorry I have not been posting new stuff up here lately. There has been a lot going on with organizing my life and trying to keep up on current work prospects and looking for that great permanent position. Anyway I thought I would update you all on some of my latest rants and raves:

1) The United States Postal Service: As I sat down yesterday with my son and daughter to send off a Thank You note via regular mail, my oldest child ,aka the daughter, was acting very confused. She didn't understand why I had to put the great sheet of paper that she colored on and wrote on into an envelope to send it. She had seen me typing emails and all I did was type and send and it was gone to that person. Next she didn't understand why I needed a stamp to send it, couldn't I just put it in the mailbox and off it goes, after all we just go out to the mailbox to get our mail that we are receiving. This started me thinking as I was frantically searching for some stamps to send these two letters. Why hasn't mailing things from home become a more automated system? In my search for a stamp I went to USPS.gov and tried to find a place for me to purchase a single stamp and print it off on my printer once again hit a dead end. The recent article on the collapse of the US Postal Service made me think even harder about the failures of this antiquated system for sending documents across the country.

First let's talk about the inconvenient process itself. Now I am not suggesting I just want to sit in my Lazy-boy recliner all day and have a robot take out and get my mail. No, I want something where if I need to send something I can use the tools I have at my disposal, aka computer, printer, mailbox. I know there are services out there where you can print off postage at a premium price but why doesn't the source have a means to do this same task. Also the mailbox itself may be due for an upgrade. Why not charge me on letters I place in my mailbox through a scanning device on the mailbox itself. This would have two functions: 1)I could easily pay for mail similar to power or gas as a monthly varying cost. 2)This method could be used to easily plan delivery routes especially for packages. Maybe that is too ambitious but I think if your current business model is failing you need to look at how you can make it easier for your customers to use your services. Possibly implement a better online strategy or diversify your product offerings.

2)Bing-Hoo: Not yet sure what to think of this yet. I don't have the full details of how an advertiser on Bing who also advertises on Yahoo! will fair in this conglomeration. Will the placement of the ads be exactly the same on both of them since the search results will be provided by one source (Bing). Or will Yahoo! still interpret those listings into their own SERP. One thing is for sure is that I will be suggesting that those that have the budget start a PPC campaign on Bing to take advantage of the $100 million dollars worth of advertising that they are pumping into the market. My reasoning for this is not because I believe Bing has a better way of organizing a SERP but because I believe people will incorporate Bing into their search queries just to see how it works. It is the new plaything on the block and people will more than likely be trying out. So get out there and take advantage of being in front of that audience before your competitor does.

3)The Economy: Ok I don't have a lot of controversial stuff to say on this one. I do however see some positive signs from where I am standing. I am no financial guru but I am a guy on the street looking for a job and there seems to be some interest out there in hiring on people to help with the workload that has started to come back in. I still think people are taking their time in making these hires and for good reason. With a huge available workforce to choose from and eagerness of these individuals to find something...anything. There has to be a balancing act of finding the perfect employee who has a ton of experience for that entry level position you are hiring for but will not bolt when the market is in full steam again. From my perspective loyalty needs to be a consideration when making hiring decisions sure a prospective employee may not have 10 years of experience in the duty but does the position gain anything from that amount of experience or does someone with 2 years experience who is malleable and has a track record of loyal employment make a better fit. Just putting in my 2 cents here.

I hope everyone has had a great summer thus far. I wish you all the best in your adventures in the business world and as always if you don't agree with me, don't go to hell just leave a comment and let's have a discussion. Thats what social media is all about. Peace out for now.

No comments:

Contact Me

Kevin Gamache

Twitter

About Kevin Gamache

Search Strategist (SEO, SEM / PPC) for Wire Stone, a digital marketing agency (http://www.wirestone.com) in the Boise, Idaho office. Read my blog for more info: kevingamache.blogspot.com. I enjoy working with new technology via the internet and spending time with my family camping and being outdoors.

Kevin's SEO Lightsaber Color - Jedi Consular

Knowledge-driven, very studious and analytical, derives useful insights from data, strategic (sees the big picture), avoids conflict (penalties), measures everything, works well with others to develop diplomatic strategies or garner executive support for initiatives.